Beniwal, Jully allege fraud in DIPR tender, seek probe

Jaipur: Fresh political controversy has erupted in Rajasthan over alleged irregularities in the DIPR tender process, with Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLP) chief and Nagaur MP Hanuman Beniwal and Leader of Opposition Tikaram Jully levelling allegations against the state govt and former BJP state spokesperson Laxmikant Bhardwaj.

According to the allegations, large-scale “tender pulling” has taken place, and the alleged irregularities could involve nearly Rs 70 crore. It is alleged that rules related to a flex banner tender were modified to facilitate the empanelment of the firm “Swastik,” allegedly owned by the brother of Bhardwaj.

Beniwal alleged that tender conditions in the DIPR department — which functions under chief minister Bhajan Lal Sharma — were altered to benefit a firm linked to the family of a BJP leader close to the chief minister.

Referring to information circulating on social media, he said the matter raises serious concerns over transparency and impartiality in governance.

“Impartiality and transparency are the fundamental values of democracy. If tender conditions have been altered in a department under the chief minister, it raises a major question mark over the govt’s policy and intent,” Beniwal said.

Demanding a high-level probe, the RLP chief called for an impartial inquiry into the entire tender process and sought strict action against those found guilty. He also demanded that the tender process be halted until the investigation is completed. “Misuse of public money and govt machinery will not be accepted at any cost,” he added.

Leader of Opposition Tikaram Jully also launched a sharp attack on the govt, alleging that a “corrupt system” had emerged within the administration. He claimed that predetermined tender conditions were changed to favour the firm of the BJP spokesperson’s brother.

“The alteration of tender conditions in DIPR, which falls directly under the chief minister, shows how an entire corrupt system has emerged right under the chief minister’s nose,” Jully said. He questioned whether the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) would investigate for whose benefit the tender conditions were allegedly changed and whether the chief minister could ensure a fair inquiry.

Responding to the allegations, former BJP state spokesperson Laxmikant Bhardwaj rejected the charges as baseless. He said his brother’s company was empanelled along with 16 other firms through the standard DIPR tender procedure.

“Among the 16 companies, my brother’s company was also empanelled. The entire procedure was conducted according to the DIPR tender process, and everything was done as per rules,” Bhardwaj said, dismissing the allegations as “completely unfounded.”